Mitre saw with adjustable fence

ABSTRACT

A miter saw  110  having an operable cutting blade  122  pivotally supported relative to a working surface  114  and displaceable in a first cutting plane which intersects the work surface  114  along a first cutting line X-X. The miter saw has an adjustable elongated fence  134  angularly displaceable relative to the first cutting line X-X. The fence  134  is adjustably mounted on and supported by the working surface  114.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to miter saws and more particularly topower driven miter saws where the angle between the cutting blade andthe support fence is adjustable to provide for a wide range of cuttingangles.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Power driven miter saws of this type are well known and commonly used onbuilding sites and by those involved in woodworking to allow for ease ofcutting various lengths of wood to have required simple or complex(compound) cut angles. The basic type of miter saw simply comprises acircular saw blade which is operable in a cutting plane substantiallyperpendicular to a work surface on which the workpiece to be cut issupported by an appropriate fence. The plane in which the blade isoperable can then be angularly adjusted relative to the fence (which isfixed relative to the base of the miter saw) to change the cutting anglerelative thereto.

Alternatively, such miter saws may additionally further provide for theblade to be adjustably inclined relative to the work surface to providefor bevel cuts (or compound miter cuts) whereby the blade is not onlyinclined in a first plane relative to the work surface (and thus theworkpiece) but also has a second angular component relative to thefence. Such compound miter cuts are commonly used for producing roofingjoints. One further design variant of miter saws allow the blade notonly to be raised and lowered relative to the work surface but also, inthe use of cross cut miter saws, to be displaced longitudinallyoutwardly of such a work surface to produce a sliding compound mitersaw. However, in all such variants, the basic operation of the miter sawremains constant, that is: the circular saw blade employed is operativein a first cutting plane relative to the work surface where this planeintersects the work surface at a first cutting line and this cuttingline can be angularly inclined relative to a fixed fence on the mitersaw to define the appropriate miter angle required.

Typical prior art miter saws comprise a fixed base assembly having arotatable table or work surface, on which the adjustable saw bladesecurely mounted for corresponding rotation relative to the base and isalso pivotally mounted so that a user can downwardly pivot the sawassembly to bring the blade towards this table, as shown in FIG. 1. Thebase assembly has fixedly mounted thereon the miter fence, so that thetable not only rotates relative to the base assembly but also relativeto the fence. In this manner, since the cutting plane defined by theadjustable blade intersects the rotatable table assembly in a firstcutting line, the cutting line of such blade can then be angularlyinclined relative to the fence to select the miter angle. Once a miterangle has been selected the table is then releasably secured to the baseunit to lock the saw the appropriate angle.

One example of a miter saw of this type is disclosed in the Applicants'corresponding European Patent Application EP 0 949 048 showing aportable miter saw of this type, although the same principle ofoperation is equably applicable on prior art stationary miter sawsemploying larger work surfaces or bases.

Another example is shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 1 shows a conventional mitersaw according to the prior art. This miter saw 10 has a fixed baseassembly 12 having rotatably mounted thereon a table 14. Securely fixedto the rotatable table 14 is a saw assembly 16 which basically comprisesa handle 18 (usually comprising a trigger switch, not shown) togetherwith a motor housing 20 housing an electric motor (either mains operatedor battery operated) with a conventional bearing assembly and output fordriving a circular saw blade 22, which is shown here housed behind anautomatically adjustable blade guard 24. The entire saw assembly 16 ismounted on a conventional hinge arrangement 26 so as to pivot about anaxis A, so as to pivotally displace the blade 22 towards the worksurface 14 in a first cutting plane.

As is conventional for miter saws of this type (and, as such, will notbe described in great detail herein), the adjustable blade guards 24 areautomatically displaced about the circumference of the blade housing 25as the saw assembly 16 is pivotally displaced towards the table 14, soas to expose the rotating blade 22 as it approaches this work surfaceand a workpiece mounted thereon.

The blade 22 defines a first cutting plane through which pivotaldisplacement of the saw assembly 16 moves the blade 22. The plane inwhich this blade 22 itself lies, perpendicular to axis A, is defined asthe cutting plane and is represented by the plane through which theblade 22 itself is pivotally displaceable. This cutting planesubsequently intersects the table 14 along a cutting line illustrated bythe line X-X in FIG. 1 and along which cutting line X-X the table 14 isprovided with an elongated groove or channel 30 which will accommodatethe blade 22 as it is pivotally displaced into cutting engagement with aworkpiece placed on table 14.

The miter saw 10 further includes a fence assembly 32 which comprisestwo separate sections 34 a, 34 b each rigidly secured to the base member12, and restrained from rotation thereto. This fence assembly 32presents a workpiece supporting portion against which a workpiece (suchas a length of timber) may be disposed and held firm during the cuttingoperation.

This fence assembly 32 further comprises a gap or recess 36 overlyingthe cutting line X-X so as not to inhibit or engage the rotating blade22 during the cutting operation. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the adjacentend faces 38 a, 38 b of the fence assembly 32 disposed either side ofthis recess 36 may be either vertical 38 a (where the saw blade 22 is tobe maintained in a cutting plane which is not angularly adjustablerelative to the work surface) or alternatively, if the miter saw is acompound miter saw, whereby the hinged connection of the saw assembly 16is rotatable (so as to incline the axis A and thus the angle ofinclination of the cutting plane relative to the work surface (as willbe described below)) then the end face 38 b of the fence 34 a isinclined so as to facilitate operation of and accommodate the blade whenin such an inclined cutting plane relative to the table 14.

The miter saw 10 of FIG. 1 illustrates a miter saw orientated forcutting at right angles. Here the cutting line X-X is disposedsubstantially at an angle α of 90° relative to the fence assembly 32 soas to provide a right angled cut through a workpiece placed on this saw10 adjacent to the fence 32 as the blade 22 is pivotally lowered intoengagement therewith.

In order to vary the miter angle of cut of such saw, the table 14 isrotated relative to the base assembly 12 by releasing a fixing mechanism40 between the table 14 and the base assembly 12. In the prior artexample of FIG. 1, a rotatable screw threaded engagement member 40provides a releasable locking mechanism between two work surfaces andthe base assembly 12. As is conventional in the art, rotation of thistable 14 in the direction shown generally by arrows B in FIG. 1 effectsangular displacement of cutting line X-X relative to the base assembly12 and hence fixed fence 32, thereby varying the angle α therebetweenand hence the miter cutting angle.

The table 14 is provided with an indicia marking 44 which is readagainst a fixed angular scale (or indicia) 46 on the base assembly 12 todetermine the exact angle α between the cutting line X-X and the fence32. In this manner, the operator can pre-select the required miter angleby adjustment of the table 14 until the correct angular alignment isachieved, and the table 14 is then secured in engagement with the basestation 12 at this pre-determined angle.

However, while this type of conventional miter saw provides for anefficient manner of adjusting the miter angle, the mechanisms employedto provide for such a rotatable table releasably secured to a baseassembly are somewhat complex and expensive to manufacture and service.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the present invention, a miter saw may have an operablecutting blade supported relative to a work surface and displaceable in afirst cutting plane wherein this cutting plane intersects the worksurface along a first cutting line, the miter saw may further comprisean adjustable elongate fence angularly displaceable relative to thisfirst cutting line, the fence being preferably mounted on and supportedby the work surface so as to be angularly displaceable thereon relativeto said cutting line. Such miter saws may further comprise means forinclining the cutting plane relative to the work surface, as isconventional in miter saws used for producing bevel cuts, whereby thiscutting plane still intersects the work surface along said cutting line.

Preferably, the work surface will comprise a recessed channel along thefirst cutting line for accommodating the blade when the blade isdisplaced in this first cutting plane so as to pass through the cuttingline. Preferably, the fence will comprise at least one releasablerestraint member for restraining the fence to the work surface in aplurality of angularly adjusted orientations relative to the cuttingline so that the user may selectively adjust the miter angle requiredand lock the fence in the appropriate position.

In addition, the present invention may also provide for a miter sawwhich allows the fence to be longitudinally adjusted along the cuttingline so as to vary the operative cutting depth provided by such mitersaws. This feature is particularly beneficial for use with compoundsliding miter saws for cutting objects having varied thicknesses anddepth.

Preferably, the fence itself will extend over the cutting line so as tosupport a workpiece either side of the cutting line during the cuttingoperation. Here, the fence will usually have a recess form therein foroverlying the cutting line and, in particular, the recessed channel inthe work surface, so as not to inhibit or engage the blade as itperforms the cutting operation and passes through the work surface. Assuch, it is preferable that the fence comprise at least two separateelongate sections, each presenting a support face extendingperpendicular to the work surface in the same fence plane, with therecess here formed as a break between these two separate sections. Atleast one of the adjacent free ends of the separate sections of thefence may be inclined longitudinally outwardly of this break so as toprovide an inclined support surface to the object to be cut whichaccommodates the blade when the cutting plane is inclined relative tothe work surface.

Where the fence comprises separated sections disposed either side of thecutting line, the separate sections are preferably interconnected by arigid support element extending therebetween so as to be remote from therecess. Usually this rigid support element will be substantiallyU-shaped extending out of the fence plane so as not to interfere withthe blade in the cutting operation. Alternatively, this support elementmay extend substantially in the fence plane so as to be disposed belowthe work surface, again to avoid interference with the blade during thecutting operation. Alternatively, the separate sections of the fence maynot be interconnected but may both be restrained in the same fence planeindependently of one another, maintaining a constant angle ofinclination of the fence relative to the cutting line.

It is preferable that the fence is pivotally mounted on the work surfaceabout at least one pivot axis, wherein such a pivot axis is usuallydisposed substantially adjacent to the cutting line.

Preferably, the work surface will comprise at least one guide track andthe fence will comprise at least one track following member inco-operative sliding engagement therewith, which facilitates the angularadjustment of the fence about the cutting line. In one embodiment, thetrack itself may be linear whereby it is therefore preferable that theor the at least one track following member is longitudinally adjustablealong the elongate fence as the fence is pivoted about the pivot axis.Alternatively, or in combination, the work surface may in fact compriseat least two tracks and the fence comprise at least two track followingmembers for co-operating engagement therewith. Again one or both of thetrack following members may be longitudinally adjustable about thiselongate fence and the fence may optionally utilise a fixed pivot axisor may be simply inclined between the two tracks themselves relative tothe cutting line.

Alternatively, some or all of the tracks may be arcuate, preferablydisposed to be coaxial with the pivot axis where used. In thissituation, the track following members may be securely fixed to thefence so as to follow the arcuate paths coaxial with the pivot axis.Alternatively, the fence may be pivotally mounted about at least one ofthe track following members and so to be both slideably adjustablerelative to the cutting line in a longitudinal direction and alsoangularly displaceable thereabouts.

It is preferable that at least one of the track follower members wouldform at least one of the releasable restraint members for restrainingthe fence to the work surface. Such releasable restraint members may berotatably adjustable to effect such engagement with the work surface.The screw threaded engagement may be achieved with a washer or nutmember disposed within the track so as to exert a compressive force onthe work surface disposed between such washer and the fence.

???In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, such mitersaws may employ work surfaces comprising an array of first engagementmeans for co-operative releasable engagement with at least one secondengagement means on the fence for restraining the fence on the worksurface at a pre-determined angular inclination relative to the cuttingline, wherein engagement of the second engagement means with a differentone of the array of first engagement means restrains the fence in asecond pre-determined angle relative to the cutting line. Usually thefirst engagement means will comprise an array of holes in the worksurface and the second engagement means will comprise at least oneprojection member for engagement with one of the array of holes toeffect appropriate angular alignment relative to the cutting line. Suchprojection members may comprise elongate members for co-operatingengagement in corresponding angularly inclined (relative to cuttingline) elongate slots, or may further comprise a plurality of projectionsfor engagement with a plurality of holes to define the angularorientation, wherein the holes are appropriately positioned on the worksurface so that engagement therewith would facilitate an appropriateangular inclination relative to the cutting line. It is usual that theprojection members may be longitudinally adjustable along the fence.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be described,by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying illustrativedrawings in which:

FIG. 1 shows a miter saw according to the prior art; and

FIG. 2 shows a miter saw according to the present invention; and

FIG. 3 is a plan view from above of the miter saw of FIG. 2,illustrating an adjustable fence; and

FIG. 3 a is a cross sectional view of the fence of the miter saw of FIG.3 along the lines III-III illustrating a fence restraint member; and

FIG. 4 illustrates a second embodiment of an adjustable fence accordingto the present invention; and

FIG. 5 is a schematic illustration showing relative angular inclinationof the cutting plane relative to the work surface of the miter saw ofFIG. 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now to FIG. 2, showing the present invention, the table mitersaw 110 preferably has a saw assembly 116 comprising a motor housing 112which is connected through a bearing assembly (not shown) to a circularsaw blade 122. The saw assembly 116 may have a handle 118 with a triggerswitch 119. Handle 118 may be mounted to motor housing 112. Blade 122may be mounted within a blade housing 125 and surrounded by adisplaceable blade guard 124.

Saw assembly 116 may be mounted on a table or working surface 114. Worksurface 114 may be securely mounted on four sturdy legs 117 to provide astationary miter saw. Persons skilled in the art will recognize that,while the work surface 114 is shown as mounted on legs 117, the currentinvention is equally applicable to a portable miter saw of the typeshown in FIG. 1. Saw assembly 116 is preferably pivotally mounted aboutan axis A through a conventional hinge arrangement so as to allowpivotal displacement of the saw blade 122 towards the work surface 114about this axis A, as described with reference to FIG. 1.

The work surface 114 may have an elongate recess or groove 130 foraccommodating the blade 122 as it passes through the upper surface ofthis work surface 114. As in the prior art embodiment of FIG. 1, thecircular saw blade 122 may also be operative and rotatable in a firstcutting plane which intersects with the work surface 114 along a cuttingline shown again as X-X in FIG. 2.

The saw assembly 116 may be operated and controlled via a power box 135receiving power input from a mains source.

The saw 110 may further comprises an adjustable fence member 134. Fencemember 134 may be pivotally adjustable over the surface of the worksurface 114 so as to vary the angle between this fence member 134 andthe cutting line X-X as will be more readily understood with referenceto FIG. 3.

FIG. 3 shows a schematic plan view from above of the miter saw 110 ofFIG. 2 with the saw assembly 116 removed. The engagement between the sawassembly 116 and the work surface 114 is shown schematically at 150,showing the pivot axis A disposed at right angles to the cutting lineX-X.

As can be seen from FIGS. 2 and 3, the saw assembly 116 and work surface114 are preferably secured relative to one another and are fixedrelative to a base and/or legs 117, so as to be non rotatably mountedthereon. Fence member 134 may be mounted on the work surface 114 to beangularly adjustable relative thereto, and adjustable relative to thecutting line X-X.

Since the pivot axis A (about which the blade 122 is able to pivot) isnow fixed relative to the work surface 114, the cutting plane may alsobe fixed relative to the work surface 114 and is considered to berepresented by a plane extending out of the paper, so as to beperpendicular thereto, along the line X-X of FIG. 3.

Fence member 134 may be substantially L-shaped in cross section (FIG. 3a and FIG. 2). Fence member 134 may comprise an upright workpieceengaging face 152, lying in a fence plane extending substantiallyperpendicular to the work surface 114, and a rear stabilising flange 153which preferably lies against the work surface 114. Fence member 134 maybe divided into two separate sections 134 a, 134 b, forming a channel orrecess 136 therebetween, similar to the recess formed in the fence 32 ofFIG. 1. As will be appreciated from the Figures, this recess 136preferably overlies the recessed channel 130 of the work surface 114(and hence the cutting line X-X) and so allows for the blade 122 to passbetween the fence member 134 without engagement therewith.

In this embodiment of the current invention, the two distinct sections134 a, 134 b of the fence member 134 are preferably interconnected by asubstantially U-shaped rigid support element 157 (FIG. 3), which may bedisposed rearwardly of the engaging face 152 and remote from theaperture 136 so as not to interfere with the blade 122 during operationof the miter saw 110.

Alternatively, this U-shaped support section 157 could be formed so asto pass through the working surface 114 and underlie both the workingsurface 114 and the channel 130 again so as to not interfere with theblade 122 in operation. In such an alternative embodiment, the faces 152of the fence member 134 define a substantially perpendicular plane tothe working surface 114, i.e., the fence plane, whereby the supportmember 157 would then preferably lie substantially in this fence plane.The main function of the support member 157 is to restrain the twoseparate sections 134 a, 134 b from relative angular or longitudinaldisplacement to one another so that their faces 152 are maintainedsubstantially co-planar in this fence plane.

The fence member 134 (and fence plane) may be angularly displaceablerelative to the cutting line X-X (angle β). This angular adjustment isachievable by a variety of methods and techniques all of which areconsidered to fall within the scope of the current invention. In theembodiment shown in FIG. 3, the fence member 134 to be pivotallyattached via a pivot member 163 having a pivot axis extendingperpendicular to the working surface 114, which is preferably disposedon the inner end of fence member 134 b. Fence member 134 is preferablyrotatably displaceable about such pivot member.

The pivot member may comprise a pin member extending through the fencemember 134 into a corresponding aperture within the working surface 114.The second fence section 134 a may be further provided with a restraintmember 165 which passes through this fence section for co-operativeengagement with the working surface 114 to releasably engage therewithto secure the fence member 134 in its desired angular orientation.

This restraint member 165 (shown more clearly in FIG. 3 a) may comprisea rotatable knurled knob 167 having an elongate screw threaded section169 for co-operative screw threaded engagement with a nut member 171slideably received within a longitudinally extending undercut slot 173formed within the working surface 114. The nut member 171 is preferablyslidably displaceable within this undercut slot 173 but restrained fromrotational displacement therein (e.g., such as by use of a hexagonal orsquare nut which engages the side walls of such slot 173).

When the restraint member 165 is rotated clockwise so as to effect screwthreaded arrangement between the threaded section 169 and the nut 171,the nut 171 is forced upwardly along the length of the threaded section169. Nut 171 thereby engages with the shoulders 175 of the undercut slot173, resulting in a compressive force being applied between the nut 171and the knob 167, in turn compressing the fence member 134 intoengagement with the working surface 114 to frictionally restrain thefence member 134 in engagement therewith.

When the knob 167 is rotated in a counter-clockwise direction, suchcompressive force is relieved, allowing the restraint member 165 to beslideably displaceable along the slot 173 as the fence member 134 ispivoted about pivot point 163 to change the angular displacement βbetween the fence member 134 and the cutting line X-X.

The fence section 138 may also comprise an elongated aperture 180 foraccommodating the restraint member 165. Such aperture 180 may allow therestraint member 165 to be longitudinally displaceable along the fencemember 134 a to compensate for the longitudinal displacement of thefence member 134 a relative to the channel 173 during the pivotaldisplacement about pivot point 163.

Working surface 114 may be further provided with indicia markings 181defining appropriate angular configurations β to allow the user tocorrectly set angle β as required by aligning the fence member 34 withsuch markings.

The current invention further provides for longitudinal adjustment ofthe fence member 134 longitudinally along the cutting line X-X. Sincethe fence member 134 may be simply pivotally engaged with the workingsurface 114 by use of a pin member through the pivot point 163, theentire fence member 134 can be displaced along the line X-X and againpivotally operated in the manner previously described by longitudinaladjustment of this pivot axis, in a direction parallel to the cuttingline X-X and subsequent engagement with an alternatively longitudinallydisplaced hole 183. This longitudinal adjustment of the fence providesan additional advantage of allowing different sized workpieces to becut. Additionally, the indicia 181 may be reset so as to be correctlyaligned with the alternative pivot axis position 183 to again ensure theuser is able to correctly determine angle β by use of such indicia beingaligned with the fence plane. The longitudinal adjustment of the fencemay be particularly beneficial when used in conjunction with a slidingcompound miter saw.

Persons skilled in the art should recognize that, while the pivot point163 is shown substantially adjacent to the cutting line X-X, this pivotaxis could be alternatively displaced anywhere along the length of thefence section 134 b provided that the aperture 136 is sufficiently largeto prevent either of the fence sections 134 a, 134 b overlying thecutting line X-X in any one of the desired angular settings β.

FIG. 4 shows an alternative arrangement of an adjustable fence mechanismfor use with the miter saw 110 of FIG. 2. In this embodiment, the pivotaxis 163 of the embodiment shown in FIG. 3 is removed and both sections134 a, 134 b of the fence member 134 are provided with restraint members165 with corresponding, longitudinally extending apertures 180 (aspreviously described with reference to FIG. 3)). Both restraint members165 co-operate with corresponding longitudinally extending slots 173formed in the working surface 114 in the manner previously describedwith reference to FIG. 3.

In this situation, the fence member 134 may be slideably adjustablealong both slots 173 by releasing the restraint members 165, allowingthe fence plane to be aligned between two sets of indicia 181designating the appropriate miter angle (one each associated with eachslot 173), with the operator ensuring that the recess 136 overlies thecutting line X-X. Again for this embodiment, the fence 134 may belongitudinally displaceable along the cutting line X-X by appropriatedisplacement along the channels 173, whereby the indicia associated witheach channel 173 may also be displaceable and reset in this longitudinaldirection to allow correct determination of the angle β. Once theappropriate angle β has been determined by alignment of the fence member134 with the appropriate indicia, both of the restraint members 165 maythen be engaged to restrain the fence member 134 in that desiredposition.

The current invention is also applicable to compound miter saws wherebythe cutting plane in which the blade 122 is operable, is angularlyadjustable relative to the working surface 114. This is clearly shown inFIG. 5 showing a schematic cross section through the miter saw 110 ofFIG. 2, schematically illustrating the cutting plane 300 when the blade122 is in the position shown in FIG. 2 and disposed substantially atright angles to the working surface 114, wherein the blade 122 isvertically displaceable into and out of engagement with a workpiecemounted on the working surface 114 (shown generally by arrow 302).

However, if the blade 122 is angularly adjusted to a second cuttingplane 304 (as is conventional in compound miter saws), this cuttingplane 304 will preferably intersect the working surface 114 along thesame cutting line X-X, although the cutting plane will be angularlydisposed relative to the working surface 114. However, since the fencemember 134 is angularly adjustable on the working surface 114 relativeto the cutting line X-X then its effectiveness will not be affected byangular inclination of the cutting plane 304.

FIG. 5 also illustrates the benefit of providing the fence member 134with inclined edges 386 adjacent to the recess 136 to accommodate suchan inclined cutting plane so that the fence member 134 will notinterfere or engage the blade 122 as it is displaced towards the workingsurface 114 along this inclined cutting plane 304.

It will be appreciated that there are many variations to the specificembodiments described herein which still fall within the general scopeof the current invention, where the fence of such a miter saw isangularly adjustable relative to a fixed work surface 114. Inparticular, the slots 173 shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 need not be parallel tothe cutting line X-X and may in fact be arcuate (and, in FIG. 3,co-axial with the pivot point 163) with the associated restraint member165 thereby secured from longitudinal displacement on the fence member134 and simply able to follow the pre-defined arcuate path whenundergoing angular displacement.

In addition, while the preferred embodiment has been described with therestraint members 165 being slideably adjustable along slots 173, analternative embodiment to that shown in FIG. 3 may employ an engagementmechanism mounted on the fence member 134 which is only co-operable withthe table at pre-determined angular positions (for example every 5°). Anexample of this embodiment employs the use of a spring biased projectionmember, biased towards engagement with the working surface 114, forco-operable engagement with an array of apertures formed therein atpre-determined angular orientations. Thus to effect a change of angle βa spring biased member is lifted out of engagement with one such hole oraperture in the working surface 114, whereby subsequent angularadjustment of the fence member 134 about the axis 163 displaces suchspring biased projection until it overlay a further hole in the worksurface, and released into engagement therewith. Again such holes in theworking surface 114 could be arrayed along an arcuate path coaxial withthe axis 163 or alternatively the spring bias projection could beslideably mounted on the fence member 134 with the array of holes beingsubstantially linear and parallel to the cutting line X-X. Each holewould be representative of a pre-determined angular adjustment of β.

While it is preferable to rigidly interconnect to the two sections 134a, 134 b of the fence member 134 by use of the support element 157, thisis not essential to the operation of the invention. It is envisaged thatboth of the sections 134 a, 134 b could be independently adjustable onthe working surface 114. One example of such a configuration would befor each section 134 a, 134 b to have, as a restraint member, anelongate downwardly extending projection for complimentary co-operationwith elongate slots formed within the work surface at pre-determinedorientations to the cutting line which will automatically align the twofence sections 134 a, 134 b at pre-determined angular orientationsrelative to the cutting line X-X. Alternatively, it is possible thatboth separate sections 134 a, 134 b could each employ two restraintmembers 165 both located in the same slots 180 and each engageable withtwo parallel channels 173 to provide for angular adjustment of the fenceplane by alignment with pre-determined indicias marked on the workingsurface 114.

Still further, where the two sections 134 a, 134 b of the fence member134 are not interconnected and are thus independently adjustable on theworking surface 114, it would also be possible for each of these twosections to be disposed at completely different angles relative to thecutting line X-X. Here, for example, each section may be disposed at 45°to the cutting line X-X so as to form a substantial right angle betweenthe two fence members which would allow the accurate positioning of aright angled workpiece relative to the cutting line X-X.

While the preferred embodiment herein described relates to miter sawshaving circular saw blades, the current invention is equally applicableto miter saws having power driven linear reciprocating blades which aredisplaceable towards the work surface in the previously describedcutting plane.

Finally, the restraint members 165 described in the examples shownherein are by way of reference only and it is well understood and knownwithin the art to provide many alternative forms of releasableengagement means for restraining adjustable articles to a work surface,all of which are considered to be incorporated within the currentinvention.

Persons skilled in the art may recognize other additions or alternativesto the means disclosed herein. However, all these additions and/oralterations are considered to be equivalents of the present invention.

1. A miter saw comprising: a base comprising a working surface; a sawassembly pivotably connected to the base, the saw assembly comprising ablade, the blade being movable in a first cutting plane, the cuttingplane intersecting the working surface along a first cutting line; andan adjustable elongated fence mounted on and supported by the workingsurface, the fence being angularly displaceable relative to the firstcutting line.
 2. A miter saw as claimed in claim 1, wherein the blade isadjustable so as to adjustably incline the cutting plane relative to thework surface.
 3. A miter saw as claimed in claim 1, wherein the workingsurface is non-adjustably mounted on the base.
 4. A miter saw as claimedin claim 1, wherein the working surface comprises a recessed channelalong the first cutting line.
 5. A miter saw as claimed in claim 1,wherein the fence comprises at least one releasable restraining memberfor restraining the fence to the work surface in a plurality ofangularly adjusted orientations relative to the cutting line.
 6. A mitersaw as claimed in claim 1, wherein the fence comprises a restrainingmember comprising a first member disposed in the working surface andthreadingly engaged to a second member disposed on the fence.
 7. A mitersaw as claimed in claim 1, wherein the fence is longitudinallyadjustable along the cutting line.
 8. A miter saw as claimed in claim 1,wherein the fence extends over the cutting line.
 9. A miter saw asclaimed in claim 7, wherein the fence comprises a recess for overlyingthe cutting line in the working surface.
 10. A miter saw as claimed inclaim 9, wherein the fence comprises at least two separate elongatedsections, each section presenting a support face extending perpendicularto the working surface and lie in a same fence plane, with the recessformed by a break between said separate sections.
 11. A miter saw asclaimed in claim 10, wherein at least one end of the separate sectionsis inclined longitudinally outwardly of the break so as to accommodatethe blade when the cutting plane is inclined relative to the workingsurface.
 12. A miter saw as claimed in claim 9 wherein the separatesections are interconnected by a rigid support element extending betweenthe separate sections remote from the recess.
 13. A miter saw as claimedin claim 12, wherein the support element extends outside of the fenceplane.
 14. A miter saw as claimed in claim 1, wherein the fence ispivotally mounted on the working surface about at least one pivot axis.15. A miter saw as claimed in claim 1, wherein the working surfacecomprises a first guide track and the fence comprises a first trackfollower member in cooperative sliding engagement therewith.
 16. A mitersaw as claimed in claim 15, wherein the working surface comprises asecond two track and the fence comprises a second track follower memberfor respective cooperating engagement therewith.
 17. A miter saw asclaimed in claim 15, wherein the first track follower member islongitudinally adjustable along the fence.
 18. A miter saw as claimed inclaim 15, wherein the first track is linear.
 19. A miter saw as claimedin claim 15, wherein the first track is arcuate.
 20. A miter saw asclaimed in claim 15 wherein the fence is pivotally mounted about thefirst track follower member.
 21. A miter saw as claimed in claim 1wherein the working surface comprises an array of first engagement meansfor cooperative releasable engagement with at least one secondengagement means on the fence for restraining the fence on the workingsurface at a predetermined angular inclination relative to the cuttingline, wherein engagement of the second engagement means with a differentone of the array of first engagement means restrains the fence in asecond predetermined angle relative to the cutting line.
 22. A miter sawas claimed in claim 21 wherein the first engagement means comprises anarray of holes in the working surface and the second engagement meanscomprises at least one projection member for engagement with one of thearray of holes.
 23. A miter saw as claimed in claim 22 wherein theprojection member is longitudinally adjustable along the fence.